Peter Bensley

Peter Bensley (born 6 February 1954, Warialda, New South Wales) is an Australian actor.

Peter Bensley
Born	(1954-02-06) 6 February 1954 Warialda, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Occupation(s)	Actor, author
Years active	1973–present
Known for	Dr. John Austin in The New Adventures of Black Beauty Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker in Water Rats Andrew Teigan in Mirror, Mirror Dr Mike Newman in The Young Doctors Matt Delaney in Prisoner Andrew Foley in Home and Away

Career

Television

One of Bensley's earliest roles was as Dennis Braithwaite on the Seven Network drama series Class of '74. He also appeared in ABC Television children's show, Waterloo Street.

Bensley appeared in several Grundy Television soap operas including The Restless Years (1979); The Young Doctors as Dr. Mike Newman (from 1980 until the show finished in 1983); Prisoner as one of the three male prisoners, Matt Delaney (for 34 episodes in 1984); Neighbours (1986) as Tony Chapman; and Home and Away (1988 to 1990) as school teacher Andrew Foley. In 2009, he returned to Neighbours for a two-episode guest role as Dean.

In 1992, Bensley appeared as Dr. John Austin in the Australian miniseries The New Adventures of Black Beauty. In 1995, he appeared in the Australian/New Zealand co-production Mirror, Mirror, as Andrew Teigan, father of Jo Teigan.

Bensley also appeared in the long-running television series Water Rats about the Sydney Harbour Water Police Squad, in which he had the major role of Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker for the entire series run (1996–2001).

Film

In 1983, Bensley played the title role of Stanley in the film Stanley. His most recent film appearance was in Romance on the Menu (2020).

Advertisements

In the 1980s, Bensley appeared as a nude centrefold in the magazine, Cleo, wearing only strategically placed scuba gear. He also featured in a cheeky advertisement for Palmolive Gold, in which he is seen in bed with fellow The Young Doctors actress Judy McBurney, and semi-naked in a shower.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	Romance on the Menu	Dale Whitely	Feature film
2017	Don‘t Tell	Karen's Father	Feature film
2010	Tangerine	Alex	Short film
1992	The Time Game	Electricity Serviceman	TV movie
1984	Stanley	Stanley	Feature film

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	Cops LAC	Chief Superintendent	TV series, 1 episode
2009-10	Packed to the Rafters	Derek	TV series, 4 episodes
1986-2009	Neighbours	Tony Chapman / Dean	TV series, 8 episodes
2001	Corridors of Power	Mail Man	TV series, 4 episodes
1996-2001	Water Rats	Chied Inspector Jeff Hawker	TV series, 177 episodes
1997	Roar	Alwyn	TV series, 1 episode
1995	Mirror, Mirror	Andrew Tiegan	TV series. 20 episodes
1994	Ship to Shore	Taxi Driver	TV series. 1 episode
1991-94	G.P.	Dean Noonan	TV series, 2 episodes
1994	Paradise Beach	Martin Taylor	TV series, 1 episode
1992-94	The New Adventures of Black Beauty	Dr. John Austin	TV series, 23 episodes
1992	Police Rescue	Phil Dorrick	TV series, 1 episode
1992	Round the Twist	Mr Shelford	TV series, 1 episode
1988-90	Home and Away	Andrew Foley	TV series, 109 episodes
1984-85	Prisoner	Matt Delaney	TV series, 34 episodes
1980-83	The Young Doctors	Dr Mike Newman	TV series, 45 episodes
1979	Cop Shop	Gary Sinclair	TV series, 1 episode
1979	The Restless Years		TV series
1978	Tickled Pink	Penny	TV series, 1 episode
1978	Chopper Squad	Vince	TV series, 1 episode
1976	Rush	Patsey O'Halloran	TV series, 1 episode
1975	Class of 74	Dennis Braithwaite	TV series, 98 episodes

As director

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1992	Steam Across the Mountain		Director

Author

His first fiction book, On a Wing and a Prayer, was published in 2006.

Personal life

Bensley and his partner have 3 children.

External links

• Peter Bensley at IMDb
• Peter Bensley – "The Young Doctors"
• Peter Bensley – "Water Rats"
• Peter Bensley – "Water Rats"
• Author page at Random House publishers